Health Information for Patients and Families

Visit the resource centers at our Cambridge and Whidden Hospital campuses
Our libraries are a quiet, comfortable place where patients and their family can research their illness and learn more about their particular condition. If you or someone close to you receives a new diagnosis, we encourage you to visit the Patient & Family Resource Centers to gather information that will help you:

Understand the diagnosis

Understand possible treatment options

Make informed decisions

Better communicate with the health care team

Our librarians also provide MyCHArt training. We will teach you how to access your personal health care record, request medical advice and refill prescriptions from any computer using MyChart.

If you are unable to visit the center in person, our librarians are happy to answer your questions by email, resourcecenter@challiance.org or phone, 617-394-7723.

Medical Reference

Anesthesia FAQsBefore going under for surgery, you probably have a lot of questions, even if you don't ask them. The American Society of Anesthesiologists' FAQ's were written to answer questions you have about anesthesia prior to or after your surgery. These are questions patients asked their anesthesiologist that helped them avoid surgical risks.

Cleveland ClinicAre you managing a chronic disease or condition? Or just want to live healthy? Access nearly 5,000 health articles, videos and tools.

PDR HealthThe PDRhealth site offers consumer-friendly explanations of disease states and conditions as well as the safe and effective use of prescription and non-prescription drugs as well as herbal medicines.

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's AssociationTo eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health (Available in Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish & Vietnamese ).

Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral CenterThe Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center Web site will help you find current, comprehensive Alzheimer's disease (AD) information and resources from the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

Arthritis

American College of RheumatologyIn the Patient resources section of the ACR Web site, you'll find a wealth of information developed just for you and your family.

Arthritis FoundationThe foundation helps people take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.

Living with ArthritisThe Arthritis Society is Canada's only not-for-profit organization devoted solely to funding and promoting arthritis research, programs and patient care.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Syndrome Support AssociationThe Chronic Syndrome Support Association educates the general population and health-care professionals about ongoing research, and research that needs to be done, on Chronic Immunological and Neurological Disorders.

Mirror MirrorThey chose to use the phrase "Mirror, mirror on the wall" because they first heard it used in a fairy tale. Fairy tales are not real. When you look in the mirror, you are seeing what your eating disorder wants you to see, you are not seeing the true picture.

Environmental Safety

Consumer Product Safety CommissionThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.

Household Products DatabaseWhat's under your kitchen sink, in your garage, in your bathroom, and on the shelves in your laundry room? Learn more about what's in these products, about potential health effects, and about safety and handling.

HUD: Healthy HomesHUD believes our communities should make homes available to families that are affordable and healthy. "Healthy Homes" is a century-old concept that promotes safe, decent, and sanitary housing as a means for preventing disease and injury.

Poison Control and Prevention (www.maripoisoncenter.com)The Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention is a not-for-profit organization that provides assistance and expertise in the medical diagnosis, management and prevention of poisonings involving the people of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Lupus

Lupus FoundationThe Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. (LFA) is the foremost national nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support, services and medically sound information and programs for people with lupus, their families, physicians, and other health professionals.

Nutrition

American Dietetic AssociationThe American Dietetic Association is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.

Nutrition.GovProviding easy, online access to government information on food and human nutrition for consumers.

USDA Center for Nutrition Policy & PromotionThe USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) works to improve the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research.